Senko
Fakultäten » Philosophische Fakultät » Psychologisches Institut » Angewandte Psychologie » Prof. Dr. Alexandra M. Freund » Senko
Completed research project
| Title / Titel | Achievement motivation and growth vs. maintenance goals | ||||
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| Abstract (PDF, 14 KB) | |||||
| Summary / Zusammenfassung | This research project addresses change in achievement motivation over the lifespan. In particular, we are interested in the goals that young adults and elderly adults pursue when doing achievement-oriented activities. We focus on two types of goals: a growth goal, which involves trying to develop and improve one’s own skill, and a maintenance goal, which involves trying to prevent a decline in one’s skill level. Past research suggests that younger adults prefer the growth goal, whereas elderly adults prefer the maintenance goal. Our current research explores the psychological processes that explain these diverging preferences. We are currently conducting experiments in which young and elderly adults pursue either a growth goal or a maintenance goal while working on problem-solving tasks. We measure their perception of the goals, their experience while doing the task, and their performance on the task. | ||||
| Keywords / Suchbegriffe | achievement motivation; goal focus; growth vs. maintenance motivation; lifespan development | ||||
| Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte |
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| Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch |
Others |
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| Duration of Project / Projektdauer | Sep 2005 to Aug 2007 |